Continuity tester adaptors

ABSTRACT

An electrical continuity tester adaptor for attaching to a conventional continuity tester comprising first, second and third members. The first member is operably configured to engage a female F-type connector. The second member is operably configured to engage a female RJ series type connector. The third member includes a plurality of electrical connections and a printed circuit board to facilitate the electrical connectivity between the first and second members.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This nonprovisional application claims the benefit of ProvisionalApplication No. 60/691,150, filed on Jun. 15, 2005, and Nonprovisionalapplication Ser. No. 11/424,521, filed on Jun. 15, 2006, which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety and to which priorityis claimed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to electrical circuit testeradapters for testing and tracing electrical circuit; and, it relatesmore specifically to adapters for testing the continuity of telephoneand local area network (LAN) cables.

2. Description of Related Art

Wire connectivity is essential to the proper function of telephonesystems; cable television (CATV) systems; security systems;closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems; local and wide area computernetworks (LANs and WANs); and, other multi-node, and multi-user systems.When a wire fault is encountered, the tracing of individual cablesthrough wire bundles, and confirming their electrical continuity, oftencan be tedious and cause significant problems. Cables or wire are oftennot identified with corresponding tags, labels or color-coding at bothends, so technicians installing or testing pre-wired systems, orremoving, repairing or re-routing the cables of an existing system, haveto sort through and test each cable individually. This commonly entailssorting through a number of upstream wire ends at a junction box orpanel, and testing each against individual downstream terminals wherethey connect to devices.

In the tracing of wires, in particular telephone and LAN type wires fromits downstream terminus back to the junction box, a technician normallysecures a short circuit or low-resistance wire terminator to thedownstream terminus of the desired cable and then, back at the junctionbox, connects a volt-ohm meter (VOM) to each upstream wire end,one-by-one. All wires but the correct one will produce a substantiallyinfinite resistance reading, while the desired cable will showcontinuity. If a standard 75-ohm terminator is used at the downstreamterminal, a 75-ohm resistance reading on the meter confirms that nomid-wire short is present. Proceeding one-by-one through a great numberof wire ends is a very tedious, laborious process. And, it is even moredifficult and time-consuming if the technician desires to determinewhich of a multitude of downstream wire ends are associated with aparticular upstream wire end at the junction box. In that case, thetechnician must either affix a terminator to the upstream end and walkroom-to-room or workstation-to-workstation connecting a VOM to eachdownstream terminal, searching for continuity. Or, the technician mustconnect the VOM to the upstream end of the desired wire at the junctionbox and, repeatedly, walk to a downstream terminal; connect aterminator; and, walk back to the junction box to read the meter.

To aid technicians in trouble-shooting electrical wires and cables,various conventional devices have been used and proposed for moreconvenient testing and tracing of wire systems. Miniaturized,limited-purpose versions of VOMs having cables, probes, clips, adaptors,LED's, tone generators and streamlined cases are commonly available, butthey are generally difficult to use among tangled masses of cable ends,and must be carried in a toolbox rather than in the technician's pocket.Accordingly, there is a need for an easily manipulable, easy to readdevice for testing and tracing of wire bundles. One such conventionaldevice to perform the above mentioned type testing for coaxial cables isthe Gale Cable continuity tester and tracer (Pocket Toner) of U.S. Pat.No. 6,437,580, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

Conventional continuity testers like the Gale Pocket Toner are veryversatile for testing coaxial cables, such conventional testers lack theability to test the continuity of each line in telephone wire or LANcable. With the complexity of modern office buildings where each officewill have electrical outlets, coaxial cable, telephone and LANconnections, an electrician must carry many different style testingdevices to test each type of circuit.

Further, conventional continuity tester do not have the ability todetect telephone on and off hook conditions. Technicians need to carrywith them a larger and more expensive dial tone testing device.

Accordingly, it appears there exists a need to adapt an easilymanipulable, easy to read pocket continuity testing device for thetesting and tracing continuity in multiple type of electrical circuits.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks andshortcomings of conventional pocket wire testing devices. This presentinvention allows for the placing of adaptors on existing continuitytesters to allow the inspection of wire systems, such as telephone linesand LAN cables in addition to coaxial cables.

A technician can now carry a conventional pocket continuity tester andwith the addition of the present invention expand the applicability ofthe conventional pocket continuity tester to test other wires or cablessuch as telephone lines.

Further, the present invention reduces the risk of electrical shock tothe technician. The device made according to the present invention usesa non-conductive material, therefore, when the device is in use no metalparts are contacting a live electrical wire.

The present invention also provides the ability to detect a telephoneon/off hook condition without the need for an additional testing device.

The present invention discloses a continuity tester adaptor, whichcomprises a first member having a first end, a second end with a hollowbody and an electrical ground. The second end of the first member isoperably configured to engage a first type of electrical receptacle. Thecontinuity tester adaptor further comprises a second member having afirst end with a plurality of channels and a second end with a chamberand the plurality of channels extend to the chamber, wherein the firstend of the second member is operably configured to engage a second typeof electrical receptacle. The second end of the second member isdisposed adjacent to the first end of the first member. Additionally,the continuity tester adaptor includes a third member comprising a firstconnector, a second connector, a plurality of electrical contacts, and aprinted circuit board (PCB) having a first and second surface. The firstand second connectors of the PCB are attached to the first surface ofthe PCB. The PCB is disposed between the first member and second membersuch that the first connector is disposed in the hollow body of thesecond end of the first member and the second connector is engaged withthe electrical ground of the first member. The plurality of electricalcontacts are fixedly attached to the second surface of the PCB and onehalf of the plurality of electrical contacts are in electricalcommunication with the first connector, and the remaining half of theplurality of electrical contacts are in electrical communication withthe second connector. The plurality of electrical contacts are disposedin the plurality of channels of the second member.

The present invention further provides a printed circuit board for anelectrical continuity tester adaptor comprising a first surface andsecond surface and a first connector disposed on the first surface andoperably configured to engage a positive contact on a first type ofelectrical receptacle. The printed circuit board also includes a secondconnector disposed on the first surface and operably configured toengage a ground contact on the first type of electrical receptacle and aplurality of contacts having an equal number of positive and negativecontacts being disposed on the second surface and operably configured toengage a second type of electrical receptacle. Additionally, the printedcircuit board further comprises a first conducting path operablyconfigured to complete an electrical connectivity between the firstconnector and the plurality of positive contacts; and, a secondconducting path operably configured to complete an electricalconnectivity between the second connector and the plurality of negativecontacts.

Further, the present invention is an electrical continuity testeradaptor that comprises a first member having a first end with a cavity,a second end with a hollow body, and a ground sheath disposed in thehollow body, wherein the second end is operably configured to engage anF-type connector and the first member is a non-conductive material. Theelectrical continuity tester adaptor of the present invention alsoincludes a second member having a first end with a plurality of channelsand a second end with a chamber and the plurality of channels extend tothe chamber. The first end of the second member is operably configuredto engage a RJ series connector, wherein the second end of the secondmember is disposed in the cavity of the first member, and wherein thesecond member is a non-conductive material. The electrical continuitytester adaptor further comprises a printed circuit board disposed in thecavity and having: a first and second surface; a F-type male connectordisposed on the first surface operably configured to engage the femaleF-type connector through the hollow body of the second end of the firstmember; a ground contact disposed on the first surface and operablyconfigured to engage the ground sheath on the first member; a pluralityof contacts having an equal number of positive and negative contactsbeing disposed on the second surface. The plurality of contacts areoperably configured to engage the plurality of channels through theorifice of the second end of the second member; a first conducting pathoperably configured to complete an electrical connectivity between theF-type male connector and the plurality of positive contacts; and, asecond conducting path operably configured to complete an electricalconnectivity between the ground contact and the plurality of negativecontacts.

The present invention additionally provides a method of assembling in acontinuity tester adaptor for a RJ series connector, comprising thesteps of acquiring a first type of electrical connector having a firstend and a second end, wherein the first end has a plurality of channelsand is operably configured to engage a RJ series female connector andthe second end is operably configured to receive a plurality ofelectrical contacts; acquiring a printed circuit board, wherein theprinted circuit board has a first surface and a second surface, anddisposed on the second surface are the plurality of electrical contactshaving equal number of positive and negative contacts and operablyconfigured to correspond to the first type of electrical connector, anddisposed on the first surface is a pin and a ground contact operablyconfigured to electrically connect the positive contacts to the pin andthe negative contacts to the ground contact, and to correspond to a maleF-type connector. The method of the present invention further includesthe steps of assembling the printed circuit board to the first type ofelectrical connector so that the plurality of electrical contacts on theprinted circuit board are disposed in the plurality of channels in thefirst end of the first type of electrical connector; acquiring a hollownon-conductive cylindrical housing having a first end and a second end,wherein the first end is operably configured to receive the assembledprinted circuit board and first type of electrical connector, and thesecond end has a hollow conductive insert; and, assembling the hollowcylindrical housing to the assembled printed circuit board and firsttype of electrical connector so that the ground contact engages theconductive insert and the pin becomes a center post on the male F-typeconnector.

This invention overcomes the drawbacks and shortcomings of the prior artconventional devices and systems. These and other features andadvantages of this invention are described in, or are apparent from, thefollowing detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of thedevices and methods according to this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various exemplary embodiment of this invention will be described indetail, with reference to the following figures, wherein;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device made in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective rear view of the device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a rear view of an insert of the device in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line 4-4 in FIG. 3 of the devicemade in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a detail perspective view of circle 5 in FIG. 2A of a printedcircuit board made in accordance with the present invention in thedevice of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a conventional RJ-11 male connector,which is prior art;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment ofthe device made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a further alternativeembodiment of the device made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view along line 9-9 in FIG. 8; and,

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an additional alternative embodiment ofthe device made in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device or test adapter 10, made inaccordance with the invention. The device 10 is a continuity testadapter for testing the continuity in a telephone line comprising afirst member 20, a second member 40 and a third member 60, as shown inFIG. 2A. The first member 20 is operably configured to engage a coaxialcable female connector. The second member 40 is operably configured toengage an electrical female connector receptacle. The device 10, in thepresent embodiment, the first member 20 is operably configured to engagea testing device, such as the Gale Pocket Toner, U.S. Pat. No.6,437,580, and the second member 40 is operably configured to engage anelectrical female connector receptacle. In the present embodiment theelectrical connector receptacle is a standard female telephone RJ-11jack (not shown). The second member 40 engages the female RJ-11 jack topermit a user to test a telephone line in the RJ-11 jack for continuity.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the first member 20 is an elongatedhollow cylindrical body and includes a first end 22 having a cavity 23and a second end 24. The first member 20 further includes an externalsurface 26, and an internal surface 28, wherein the first member 20 hasopenings at both the first end 22 and the second end 24. The second end24 of the first member 20 in the present embodiment is an F-type maleconnector. The second end 24 of the first member 20 is operablyconfigured to engage a standard coaxial F-type female connector. Itshould be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, thesecond end could be operably configured to engage other types ofconnectors common in the art of coaxial connectors.

The cavity 23 of the first member 20 has a generally rectangular shapeand is operably configured to receive the second member 40. It should beappreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, the cavitycould be other shapes such as, but not limited to, circular or oval. Inthe present embodiment, the cavity 23 has a generally rectangularopening, as shown in FIG. 1, and is operably configured to receive thethird member 60 and engage the second member 40.

The first member 20 is constructed out of a non-conducting material, aprotective feature to reduce the risk of electrical shock to atechnician. In the present embodiment, the first member 20 isconstructed out of molded plastic. However, it should be appreciatedthat in other various exemplary embodiments, the first member could beconstructed out of other non-conductive materials or conductivematerials coated with a non-conductive material common in the art.

The first member 20 further includes a length 27. The length 27 in thepresent embodiment is designed to be 14.55 mm (0.57 inches). The length27 is kept to a minimum to keep the overall length of the device 10 to aminimum in order to permit the device 10 to be used in a tight space.However, it should be appreciated that in other various exemplaryembodiments the length of the first member could of other dimensions.

The first member 20 also includes a longitudinal axis 17 and an insert30, as shown in FIG. 2A. The insert 30 includes a first surface 31,wherein the first surface 31 includes an orifice 32 and a non-conductivebushing 34, as shown in FIG. 2B. The insert 30 is a treaded conductiveinsert. The insert 30 acts as an electrical ground for the F-typed maleconnector.

Still referring to FIG. 2A, the internal surface 28 of the second member20 in the present embodiment is treaded and operably configured toengage the insert 30. In the present embodiment, the insert 30 istreaded into the internal surface 28 of the first member 20. It shouldbe appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, the insertcould be secured to the internal surface by other methods common in theart such as, but not limited to, gluing or crimping. Further, it shouldbe appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, the insertcould of other designs to correspond with other type connectors commonin the art.

The external surface 26 in the present embodiment has a plurality ofridges 29. The ridges 29 enable the user to better grip the device 10.It should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments,the external surface could be of other designs common in the art.

Referring to FIGS. 1 though 4, the second member 40 comprises agenerally rectangular shaped body having an internal volume. The secondmember 40 has a first end 42 and a second end 44. The second member 40is constructed out non-conductive material. The present embodiment ismolded plastic. However, it should be appreciated that in other variousexemplary embodiments the second member could be constructed out ofother non-conductive materials common in the art of electricalconnectors could be used. The use of non-conductive material is aprotective feature to reduce the risk of electrical shock to thetechnician. Further the second member 40 in the present invention istransparent.

FIG. 6 is an embodiment of a conventional RJ-11 male plug 3. Theconventional RJ-11 male plug 3 includes a locking lever or lockingmechanism 5. The second member 40, in the present embodiment is a RJ-11male plug similar to the conventional RJ-11 male plug 3 shown in FIG. 6.The first end 42 of the second member 40 is operably configured toengage a standard RJ-11 female receptacle. A difference between thesecond member 40 of the device 10 and a conventional RJ-11 plug 3 inFIG. 6 is that the second member 40 of the device 10 does not include alocking lever 5 that is shown in FIG. 6. The lack of the locking lever 5is an advantage over conventional adaptors, in that the device 10 canquickly be placed in a matching receptacle and quickly removed withoutthe need to compress the locking lever 5 by the user. It should beappreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, the secondmember could be of other connector designs of electrical connectors suchas, but not limited to, RJ-45, Bayonet Neill Concelman (BNC),audio/video, Universal Serial Port (USB) or other types of connectorscommon in the field of electrical connectors.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the second member 40 further includes otherfeatures common to the conventional RJ-11 plug shown in FIG. 6, in thatthe second member 40 also includes a crimping tab 71. It should beappreciated that the second member could be manufactured without thecrimping tab.

The first end 42 of the second member 40 further includes a plurality ofcontact channels 46, as shown in FIG. 3. In the present embodiment, thesecond member 40 has six contact channels 46 to conform to the standardRJ-11 male plug. It should be appreciated that in other variousexemplary embodiments the number of channels will vary depending on thetype of RJ series plug used.

The second end 44 of the second member 40 has a generally rectangularshape, as shown in FIG. 2A. The second end 44 is operably configured toengage the cavity 23 of the first member 20. It should be appreciatedthat in other various exemplary embodiments, the second end of thesecond member could be of other shapes such as, but not limited tocircular or oval for example.

Further, the second member 40 includes a longitudinal axis 19, a length47 and a chamber 48. The length 47 in the present embodiment is 13.28 mm(0.52 inches). The plurality of channels 46 extend through the length47, parallel and offset to the axis 19 to the chamber 48.

The third member 60, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, includes a printedcircuit (PC) board 62, a first connector or pin 64, a second connectoror ground connector 68, and a plurality of electrical contacts 66. ThePCB 62 has a generally rectangular shape and is operably configured tobe disposed in the cavity 23 substantially perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis 17 of the first member 20, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

The PC board 62 also includes a first and second surface 61 and 67, afirst conducting path 63 and a second conducting path 65. The pin 64 andthe ground contact 68 are both disposed on the first surface 61. Theplurality of contacts 66 are disposed on the second surface 67. Further,the first and second conducting paths 63 and 65 are both disposed in thePCB 62.

The plurality of electrical contacts 66 of the third member 60 aredisposed on the second surface 67 of the PCB 62 and are operablyconfigured to engage the contact channels 46 in the second member 40.The plurality of contacts 66 are constructed out of an electricallyconductive material. The contacts 66 in the present invention are madeout of brass, however it should be appreciated that in other variousexemplary embodiments the contacts could be constructed out of otherelectrically conductive material common in the art, such as, but notlimited to, gold or aluminum. Further, the plurality of contacts 66 inthe present embodiment are soldered to the PCB 62. It should beappreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments the plurality ofcontacts could be attached to the PCB with the use of other methodscommon in the art of making PCBs.

Further, the plurality of electrical contacts 66 are divided into twogroups, a plurality of positive contacts 66A and a plurality of negativecontacts 66B, as indicated in FIG. 5. The first conducting path 63connects the plurality of positive contacts or “tips” 66A and completesthe circuit to the pin 64. The second conducting path 65 connects theplurality of negative contacts or “rings” 66B and completes the circuitto the ground connector 68. It should be appreciated that in othervarious exemplary embodiments, the first and second conducting paths maybe arranged so that they complete the circuits required depending on thechoice of the second member used, for example an RJ-45 plug.

FIG. 2B is a rear view of the insert 30 showing the orifice 32 and thenon-conductive bushing 34. The pin 64 is disposed on the PCB 62 suchthat the pin 64 is positioned in the orifice 32 of the insert 30 andalong the longitudinal axis 19 of the first member 20. The nonconductivebushing 34 insulates the pin 64 from the insert 30.

The pin 64 is constructed out of an electrically conductive material. Inthe present embodiment the pin 64 is brass, however, it should beappreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments, the pin couldbe made from other conductive materials common in the art. Further, thepin 64 in the present embodiment is soldered to the PC board 62. Itshould be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments thepin could be attached to the PC board with the use of other methodscommon in the art of making printed circuit boards.

The PCB 62 is operably configured to provide an electrical interfacebetween the RJ series plug and the F-type connector. For example, thedevice 10 in the present embodiment is set up for the standard RJ-11plug, which can have up to six contacts. In the standard RJ-11 plug, thesix contacts equates to three pairs of lines.

The path 63 connects the positive contacts 66A to the pin 64 and thepath 65 connects the negative contacts 66B to the ground contact 68, asshown in FIG. 5. Thus the PCB 62 completes the electrical connectivityfrom the second member or male RJ-11 plug 40 into the first member ormale F-type connector 20. Now, when using the testing device, such asthe Gale Pocket Toner, the technician can test the continuity of atelephone line.

It should be appreciated the in other various exemplary embodiments, thethird member can be arrange to meet the second member type plug used.For example, in the United States the Universal Service Order Code(USOC) standard is used. Another industry standard is theTelecommunications Industry Association/Electronics Industry Association(TIA/EIA), which has two different configurations, the TIA/EIA-568A andthe TIA/EIA-568B. The printed circuit board can be arranged to match theappropriate configuration of either the USOC, the TIA/EIA or otherstandards as required.

Referring again to FIG. 2A, the device 10 is assembled by the pluralityof contacts 66 of the third member 60 being inserted into the chamber 48of the second member 40 such that the plurality of contacts 66 insertinto the plurality of channels 46. The plurality of contacts 66 aresubstantially parallel and offset of the axis 19 of the second member40. The second member 40 and the third member 60 are then disposed intothe cavity 23 of the first member 20, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, suchthat the third member 60 is between the first member 20 and secondmember 40. The third member 60 is disposed in the cavity 23 such thatthe first and second surfaces 61 and 67 of the third member 60 aresubstantially perpendicular to the axes 17 and 19 of the first andsecond members 20 and 40. In the present embodiment the second member 40is glued to the first member 20. However, it should be appreciated thatin other various exemplary embodiments, the second member can beattached to the first member by other methods such as, for example,crimping or other method common in the art. Further, it should beappreciated the in other various exemplary embodiments, the device couldbe attached so that the device is waterproof.

As the third member 60 is disposed in the cavity 23 of the first member20, the ground contact 68, which has bias towards the first member 20,contacts the insert 30 to complete the electrical connection for thenegative contacts 66B. Further, the pin 64 is along the axis 17 of thefirst member 20 when the third member 60 is disposed in the cavity 23.It should be appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiment, itis contemplated that the ground contact could be of other designs suchthat the ground still engages the insert completing the circuit betweenthe negative contacts and the insert.

The device 10 further has a length 18, as shown in FIG. 1, in that thelength 18 is formed by the combination of the first and second members,20 and 40. The length 18 in the present embodiment is 25.93 mm 91.02inches).

Additionally, in the present invention the PCB 62 improves themanufacturing process the device 10. The device 10 can be manufacturedquicker because the three members 20, 40, and 60 are assembled togetherwith not requirement to strip, separate and twist wires as inconventional devices. Further, the use of the PCB 62 improves thequality of the device 10 over conventional devices for a variety ofconnector types.

Further the PCB 62 being disposed substantially perpendicular to theaxis 19 of the first member 20 permits the length 18 of the device 10 tobe substantially shorter than conventional adaptors. The length 18 givesthe device 10 an advantage over conventional adaptors, in that thedevice 10 can be used with continuity testers in areas more confinedthan conventional adaptors can be used.

In the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, the secondmember 40 of the device 10 is configured as male RJ-11 plug to engage afemale RJ-11 connector receptacle, however, it should be appreciatedthat in other various exemplary embodiments, the device could beconstructed to include any plug that is compatible with the RJ seriesindustry standard, such as for example a RJ-45 plug, as can be seen inFIG. 7 and will be described below.

Further, while the present embodiment has a male RJ series plug on thesecond member 40 and a male F-type series plug on the first member 20,it should be appreciated that in other various embodiments anycombination of male-male, male-female, female-male, and female-female isanticipated by the present invention.

Still further, as mentioned above the device 10 of the present inventionis configured to be used with the conventional pocket continuity tester.For the device 10 it is assumed that the conventional pocket continuitytester has a female F-type connector to connect to the first member 20of the device 10. It should be appreciated that if the conventionalpocket continuity tester has a male F-type connector, then aconventional F-type female-female connector. Additionally, it should beappreciated that in various alternative embodiments, the device may beconfigured with a female F-type connector so that the device may be usedwith conventional pocket continuity testers that have a F-type maleconnector.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view a device 100, wherein device 100is an alternate embodiment made in accordance with the presentinvention. The device 100 is similar to the device 10 described above.The device 100 includes a first member 120, a second member 140 and athird member 160. The device 100 also includes an insert 130 and aprinted circuit board (PCB) 162 similar to the PCB 62 of the device 10.The first member 120 is the same as the first member 20 of the device 10

One difference in the device 100, for example is that the second member140 is a conventional RJ-45 male plug without a locking lever and isoperably configured to engage a RJ-45 female receptacle.

The third member or PCB 162 is similar to the PCB 62 of the device 10above. The PCB 162 includes a pin 164, a first and second conductivepath 163 and 165 and a ground contact 168, A difference in the PCB 162is that the third member 160 includes a plurality of contacts 166,wherein this embodiment has eight connectors to conform to the RJ-45plug of the TIA/EIA 568A standard. The plurality of contacts 166 alsohas two groups, a plurality of positive contacts 166A and a plurality ofnegative contacts 166B, as shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a device 200, wherein device200 is a further alternative embodiment made in accordance with thepresent invention. The device 200 is similar to the device 10 describedabove. The device 200 includes a first member 220, a second member 240and a third member 260. The device 200 also includes a printed circuitboard (PCB) 262 similar to the PC board 62 of the device 10.

One difference in the device 200 is that the first member 220 instead ofbeing a F-type male connector, the first member 220 is a F-type femaleconnector. The first member 220 includes a first end 222, a second end224 and an external surface 226, wherein the external surface 226 is athreaded conductive material. Further the second end 224 includes anon-conductive insulator 231 and a cylindrical orifice 232.

Another difference in the device 200 is that the second member 240 isoperably configured to engage a standard 66 block telephone junctionterminal. Further, the second member 240 includes a plurality oforifices 248A and 248B.

The PCB 262, as shown in FIG. 9, includes pin 264, a plurality ofconnectors 266 and ground contact 268. The pin 264 is cylindrical andoperably configured to be disposed in the cylindrical orifice 232, asshown in FIG. 9. Additionally, the pin 264 has a hollow shaft operablyconfigured to receive a post from an F-type male plug.

The plurality of contacts 266 include a pair of positive contacts 266Aand a pair of negative contact 266B. The positive contacts 266A areelectrically connected to the pin 264 by a first conductive path 263.The negative contacts 266B are electrically connected to the groundcontact 268 by a second conductive path 265, as shown in FIG. 8.

Additionally, the positive contacts 266A engage orifice 248A and thenegative contacts 266B engage the orifice 248B.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a device 300, wherein device300 is a further alternative embodiment made in accordance with thepresent invention. The device 300 is similar to the device 10 describedabove. The device 300 includes a first member 320, a second member 340and a third member 360. The device 300 is used to further test atelephone line for an on hook, off hook or no dial tone condition.

The first member 320 is similar to the first member 20 in the device 10.The first member 320 includes a first end 322, a second end 324 and alongitudinal axis 317. Further, the first member 320 includes anelectrically conductive insert (not shown), wherein the insert issimilar to the insert 30 in device 10, in that the insert includes afirst surface, an orifice and a nonconductive bushing (all not shown).

The first member 320 is different in that the first member 320 includesa body 329, wherein the body 329 is has cavity 323 and is a generallyrectangular shape. Additionally, the first member has a length 327. Thelength 327 is longer than the length 27 of the device 10.

The third member of the device 300 also includes a first side 367 and aprinted circuit board (PCB) 362 similar to the PCB 62 of the device 10.The PCB 362 also includes a pin 364, a ground tab 368 and a plurality ofconnectors 366. In this embodiment the third member 340 has only twoconnectors 266, wherein the second member 340 is configured for a RJ-11adaptor wired for a telephone only. The PCB 362 engages the first member320, that the PCB 362 fits in the cavity 321 and the ground contact 368engages the insert.

A difference in the third member 360 is that third member 360 isdisposed in the first member 320 such that the first side 367 issubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 317 of the first member320.

Another difference in the PCB 362 of the third member further includescircuitry (not shown) to detect a dial tone in the telephone line,wherein the circuitry on the PC board 362 is common in the art oftelephone dial tone detectors. The PCB 362 additionally includes amulti-colored Light Emitting Diode (LED) 369.

The device 300 includes the additional capability to test an on or offhook condition of a telephone line, or a dead line. When the firstmember 320 of the device 300 is connected to a continuity tester, suchas the Gale Pocket Toner in U.S. Pat. No. 6,437,580, and the secondmember 340 is engaged to a RJ-11 female receptacle connected to atelephone line, the device 300 will light the LED 369 a first color ifthe line is on-hook and light the LED 369 a second color if the line isoff-hook. If the line id dead, the LED 360 will be off. In thisembodiment, the first color is green and the second color is red.However, it should be appreciated that in other various exemplaryembodiments, other colors may be used.

Further, when the device 300 is used with a continuity tester, such asthe Gale Pocket Toner in U.S. Pat. No. 6,437,580, which has the capacityto produce tones, the device 300 will permit the continuity tester toproduce a first tone for the on-hook condition and a second tone for theoff-hook condition. No tone is produced for the dead line condition. Inthe present embodiment, the first tone is a steady audible frequency andthe second tone is an on-off-on, or broken, audible frequency. It shouldbe appreciated that in other various exemplary embodiments other audiblefrequency combinations may be used.

The present invention also includes a method of manufacturing the device10. The method of assembling in a continuity tester adaptor for a RJseries connector, comprising the step of acquiring a first type ofelectrical connector having a first side and a second side, wherein thefirst side is operably configured to engage a RJ series female connectorand the second side is operably configured to receive a plurality ofelectrical contacts; acquiring a printed circuit board, wherein theprinted circuit board has a first surface and a second surface, anddisposed on the first surface is a pin and a ground contact operablyconfigured to electrically connect the positive contacts to the pin andthe negative contacts to the ground contact and to correspond to a maleF-type connector, and disposed on the second surface are the pluralityof electrical contacts having equal number of positive and negativecontacts and operably configured to correspond to the RJ series maleconnector; and, assembling the printed circuit board to the RJ seriesconnector so that the plurality of electrical contacts on the printedcircuit board engages on the second side of the RJ series maleconnector. The method further includes the steps of acquiring a hollownon-conductive cylindrical housing having a first end and a second end,wherein the first end is operably configured to receive and engage theassembled printed circuit board and RJ series connector, and the secondend has a hollow conductive insert; and, assembling the hollowcylindrical housing to the assembled printed circuit board and RJ seriesconnector so that the ground contact engages the conductive insert andthe pin becomes a center post on the F-type male connector.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specificembodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives,modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention, as setforth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Variouschanges may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of thisinvention.

1. A continuity tester adaptor comprising; a first member having a firstend, a second end with a hollow body and an electrical ground, whereinthe second end of the first member is operably configured to engage afirst type of electrical receptacle; a second member having a first endwith a plurality of channels and a second end with a chamber and theplurality of channels extend to the chamber, wherein the first end ofthe second member is operably configured to engage a second type ofelectrical receptacle, and the second end of the second member isdisposed adjacent to the first end of the first member; and, a thirdmember comprising a first connector, a second connector, a plurality ofelectrical contacts, and a printed circuit board (PCB) having a firstand second surface; wherein the first and second connector are attachedto the first surface of the PCB and the PCB is disposed between thefirst member and second member such that the first connector is disposedin the hollow body of the second end of the first member and the secondconnector is engaged with the electrical ground of the first member;wherein the plurality of electrical contacts are fixedly attached to thesecond surface of the PCB and one half of the plurality of electricalcontacts are in electrical communication with the first connector, andthe remaining half of the plurality of electrical contacts are inelectrical communication with the second connector; and, wherein theplurality of electrical contacts are disposed in the plurality ofchannels of the second member.
 2. The continuity tester adaptor, asrecited in claim 1, wherein the second end of the first member is a maleF-type series connector and the first connector of the third member is amale pin in the male F-type series connector and the combination of thesecond end and the first connector are operably configured to engage afemale F-type series receptacle.
 3. The continuity tester adaptor, asrecited in claim 2, wherein the plurality of electrical connectors inthe third member have an equal number of positive and negative contacts,and the PCB is operably configured to electrically connect the positivecontacts to the first connector and the negative contacts to the secondconnector.
 4. The continuity tester adaptor, as recited in claim 1,wherein the second end of the second member is a male RJ-series typeconnector and is operably configured to engage a female RJ-seriesreceptacle.
 5. The continuity tester adaptor, as recited in claim 1,further comprising a light emitting diode (LED) disposed on the PCB, andwherein the PCB includes dial tone circuitry electrically connected tothe LED and wherein the dial tone circuitry is operably configured todetect at least one of an on-hook and an off-hook voltage in a telephoneline when the tester adaptor is in use with testing a phone line.
 6. Thecontinuity tester adaptor, as recited in claim 5, wherein the LED has afirst color for the on-hook voltage and a second color for the off-hookvoltage.
 7. The continuity tester adaptor, as recited in claim 1,wherein the first member is constructed out of a non-conductive materialand further comprising a conductive insert in the second end.
 8. Thecontinuity tester adaptor, as recited in claim 1, wherein the secondmember is constructed out of a transparent non-conductive material. 9.The continuity tester adaptor, as recited in claim 1, wherein the firstend of the first member further includes a cavity and the PCB and thesecond end of the second member are dispose in the cavity.
 10. Thecontinuity tester adaptor, as recited in claim 1, wherein the firstmember and the second member each have an axis, which are substantiallyparallel and the first and second surfaces of the PCB are substantiallyperpendicular to the axes.
 11. A printed circuit board for an electricalcontinuity tester adaptor comprising: a first surface and secondsurface; a first connector disposed on the first surface and operablyconfigured to engage a positive contact on a first type of electricalreceptacle; a second connector disposed on the first surface andoperably configured to engage a ground contact on the first type ofelectrical receptacle; a plurality of contacts having an equal number ofpositive and negative contacts being disposed on the second surface andoperably configured to engage a second type of electrical receptacle; afirst conducting path operably configured to complete an electricalconnectivity between the first connector and the plurality of positivecontacts; and, a second conducting path operably configured to completean electrical connectivity between the second connector and theplurality of negative contacts.
 12. The printed circuit board for anelectrical continuity tester adaptor, as recited in claim 11, whereinthe first connector is a male pin for an F-type connector and the secondconnector engages a ground on the F-type connector.
 13. The printedcircuit board for an electrical continuity tester adaptor, as recited inclaim 11, further comprising a light emitting diode (LED) disposed onthe printed circuit board and a dial tone circuitry electricallyconnected to the LED, wherein the dial tone circuitry is operablyconfigured to detect at least one of an on-hook and an off-hook voltagein a telephone line when the tester adaptor is in use with testing aphone line.
 14. The printed circuit board for an electrical continuitytester adaptor, as recited in claim 13, wherein the LED has a firstcolor for the on-hook voltage and a second color for the off-hookvoltage.